Month: September 2013

Artist Jeannette Ferrary is bringing her photography show from the Museum of the City of New York to the Alameda Free Library for the month of October.

The community is invited to a reception with Ferrary from 6:30 to 8 p.m. this Wednesday, Oct. 2.

Ferrary, her fans say, is a person of many talents. In addition to her work in photography, she has written cook books, lectured on cooking and teaches food-writing courses at Stanford.

An exhibit of Ferrary’s photography, shot on the sidewalk of New York — entitled “You Tawkin’ Ta Me?” — will be on display at the Main Library through Oct. 26.

Another show, “Exit and Entrance,” by Joan Di Stefano in Italy, will be up for viewing at the library through December. A reception with Di Stefano is set for 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 9 at the Main Library.

After hearing from angry business owners in the 2400 block of Lincoln Avenue (near Park Street) — who oppose possible plans to close Lincoln to east-bound traffic to accommodate the planned Walgreen’s drugstore — the city is not likely to recommend such a change.

Public Words staff said there could be curb extensions (or bulb outs) at the corner to make it safer — and shorter in distance — for pedestrians to cross the street. There may also be improved lighting installed at Lincoln and Park, as well at Buena Vista Avenue and Park.

Plans for the area were discussed this evening (Sept. 26) at the Main Library.

Public comments can be shared with city officials through Oct. 2 via mail (Virendra Patel, City Hall West, 950 West Mall Square-Room 110) or email (vpatel@alamedaca.gov).

Merchants in the 2400 block of Lincoln include the Speisekammer Restaurant, Cliff’s C-5 Auto, Millie’s Hair Salon and others.

Business owners and residents in the 2400 block of Lincoln Avenue (near Park Street) are up in arms over word that the city is considering closing Lincoln to east-bound traffic to accommodate the planned Walgreen’s drugstore.

Plans for the area will be discussed this evening (Sept. 26) at 7 p.m. at the Main Library in cooperation with the Public Works Department.

Those who cannot attend have until Oct. 2 to submit comments via mail (Virendra Patel, City Hall West, 950 West Mall Square-Room 110) or email (vpatel@alamedaca.gov).

Today’s meeting will also address possible improvements to pedestrian safety at both Park and Lincoln and Park and Buena Vista Avenue.

Merchants in the 2400 block of Lincoln include the Speisekammer Restaurant, Cliff’s C-5 Auto, Millie’s Hair Salon and others.

[Blogger's note: This report was contributed by members of the Alameda Boy Scouts Council Pack 1015-Webelos I Den.]

Threat of rain did not dampen the turn out for Coastal Clean Up on Saturday, Sept. 21. Alameda volunteers — like Nathan Kent (above) — were out in full force at Crown Beach until rains sweep through in the second hour of the event. Members of Alameda Boy Scouts Council Pack 1015 volunteers for the event each year and proudly did so this past weekend.

Before rains forced the group to pack up, members of the Webelos I Den were on the scene reporting about the event as part of their efforts to earn the Communicator Activity Badge. To earn the badge, Scouts respond to interview questions, conduct interviews with community members and take photographs of events like the Coastal Clean Up.

Scout Nathan Kent interviewed Janet Weisman of Alameda (above), who said: “This is my first time participating in Coastal Clean Up. I moved from the East Coast and just missed the event last year. I think it is great to see everyone out, bonding together, getting rid of the garbage.

As for unusual trash that she found, Weisman explained that she picked up styrofoam, sponges, lots of cigarette butts and a battery.

Scout Nathan Kent said he even found some underwear, while Isaac Camacho – who was interviewed by Scout Aidan O’Grady — found a black rock that looks like obsidian. “I’m keeping it,” Isaac told O’Grady. And Scout Ryan Hand picked up a hair band.

Scout Kyle Long explained that, “The Coastal Clean Up is important, because the sea life can die when they eat the trash.”

Owen Urquhart interviewed Maggie Konecky of Alameda Junior Girl Scouts. “This is my first time,” Konecky said. “The Coastal Clean Up is good for the environment. We need to protect the birds from eating plastic. The plastic remains long after the bird that ate it dies.”

Scout Roman Sykes shared, “This is my first time participating in Coastal Clean Up. It is a good turn out.”

Sykes also interviewed several members of the Cantrell family, including mother Tina and children Shea and Ila (above). When asked if he thought the Coastal Clean Up was important, Shea responded, “Obviously! We found a comb, a bubble wand and a green army man that I’m keeping.”

Scout Owen Milosevich, who spoke with parent volunteer Leslie Milosevich, said, “I was surprised at how much litter we found on the beach. It’s important to clean the trash up, so birds and other creatures don’t eat it and get sick. We recycle everything at home and reuse things like water bottles. We also compost.”

Scout Austin Hensley shared, “I do my best to sort all of my waste into Compost/Recycling, and also pick-up trash on Park Street.”

Finally, Scout Henry Mills was not able to attend the event, but noted other things community members can do to keep the Earth healthy: “I like to walk to school every day, so that my mom does not have to start the car. I also pick up other people’s trash on the sidewalks when I see it.”

Photos at the event were taken by: Ryan Hand, Kyle Long, Nathaniel Basco and Owen Urquhart.

Thousands turn out for Coastal Clean Up, an annual one-day event, but taking steps everyday can make a big difference. Please share what you do to take care of the Earth in the comments section below.

Later today, community members can discuss the city’s Alameda Point draft environmental impact report, when a public discussion takes place at 7 p.m. (Sept. 25) at City Hall.

For those who can’t make this event, the League of Women Voters invites them to a forum on Alameda Point and the possible impact of the rising sea level connected to global warming at 7 p.m. tomorrow (Sept. 26) at the Mastick Senior Center, 1155 Santa Clara Ave.

The former Naval Air Station — where some plans call for the addition of more than 1,400 homes — could be affected by more water than there is in the Bay today, according to draft report.

Set to discuss the matter on Thursday are Randy Rentschler, a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, and Jennifer Ott of the the city’s Alameda Point office.

The city says its deadline for public comments on the report is Monday, Oct. 21. Details on how to share comments with city officials can be found online.

The return of nice weather means a great day to kick off the fall and enjoy the Alameda Legacy Home Tour, which begins at 11 a.m.

Tickets, $35, can be bought at Franklin Park (off San Antonio Avenue and Morton Street) and benefit both the Alameda Museum and Alameda Architectural Preservation Society.

As part of the tour, six Victorian-era homes will be open to the public, along with the Myer’s House & Garden, where refreshments will be served.

Two homes on Grand Street are part of the tour, for instance. One is a Queen Anne residence dating from 1895, which features a footman’s niche and a variety of stained glass windows. The other is home, devised by David Brehaut in the Transitional Queen Anne and Colonial Revival styles and built in 1897, has restored wooden floors, a unique circular glass window and stairs with posts carved in an Art Nouveau floral design.

On Central Avenue, tour participants can visit an 1895 Colonial Revival residence designed by Marcuse and Remmel, who were responsible for building over 500 homes in the 1890s in the Bay Area. Another home that’s part of the tour and on the same street is an 1895 Queen Anne designed by Fred Fisher. It features a wrap-around porch, double doors with beveled glass panels, oak flooring and a ceiling with unique appliques.

The 2013 Live @ the Library Concert Series, which benefits the Alameda Free Library, kicks off tonight, Sept. 21.

Doors open at 7 p.m. in the back of the Main Library. At 8 p.m., jazz singer Madeline Eastman and pianist Randy Porter will take the stage.

“We are always trying to get diversity for Live @ the Library,” said Ruth Belikove, who co-produces the shows in cooperation with Eileen Savel. “We haven’t ever had a just a singer and a pianist, which makes Madeline and Randy’s appearance very special. Christian’s group is full of wonderful musicians, and the audience in Alameda really loved Paula last year.”

Tickets for the shows are $35 each or $90 for all three. They can be bought in person at the Dewey’s Friends Café in the Main Library or at Books Inc., as well as online at www.brownpapertickets.com.

Eastman, a San Francisco native, has been recognized by “DownBeat” magazine and has performed in countries like Japan and Finland, in New York, at the Monterey Jazz Festival and at many other events. She’s taught for local Bay Area jazz programs and released five CDs.

She will perform with Porter, a Steinway Artist, who’s shared the stage with jazz greats like Freddy Hubbard, Art Farmer and Benny Golson. He’s also performed with the Charles McPherson Quartet in the U.S. and Europe, where he toured with bassist David Friesen, as well.

The Main Library invites teen’s to its first fall event later today, September 19.

From 3:15 to 4:30 p.m. in the Stafford Room, teens can join the “altered books” program, which lets them take recycled books and create new works of art. Refreshments will be served.

During Banned Books Week (Sept. 22-28), the library will show the movie, “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” for teens. The viewing is set for 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25, in the Stafford Room.

The library also wants students in grades 8 to 12 to join its “awesome” teen book group, which will have a planning get-together from 3:15 to 4:45 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 26. Teens will pick out books to read and discuss, as well as schedule programs, for the 2013-14 school year.

In addition, teen volunteers are needed to decorate the Main Library’s homework center. Call 510-748-7780 or send e-mail mconciatori@alamedaca.gov to participate.

At 3:30 p.m. today in the Bay Farm Island Branch Library, a Lego session will take place for community members of all ages.

The city’s Public Works Department, in collaboration with the East Bay Regional Park District, is sponsoring Alameda’s Annual Coastal Cleanup Day from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. this Saturday, Sept. 21, at the Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach (along Shoreline Drive).

Volunteers are asked to check in at the corner of Shoreline and Westline Drive, to bring a reusable bucket or bag to collect trash, and to wear heavy-duty gloves and closed-toe shoes.